Àbákẹ́ Books & Café hosted its grand opening last month at 2 Webster Ave. in Jersey City, N.J. Owned by Jacquees Peace Thomas, the shop offers coffee drinks and baked goods, as well as books that amplifiy marginalized voices, Patch reported.
"It took a year to do it, but five years to understand that it was part of my purpose," said Thomas, who explained that Àbákẹ́ was the name of her oldest known ancestor, who came to America on the last slave ship to Mobile, Ala. Thinking about her, "I got emotional today," Thomas noted at the grand opening.
"I'm really excited," said Councilman Jake Ephros, who represents Ward D. "This is already such a bright part of our community. We need more bookstores. I hope this isn't the last one. Peace is such a bright light."
Thomas added that she hopes to have community events and programs at the space. She will also be rotating the coffee served, which currently comes from Tanzania and Rwanda. "The goal is to always have something from Africa," she said.
The shop's website notes: "In every cup of coffee and every page turned, Àbákẹ́ aims to create a space where love, culture, and community thrive--connecting people through the universal power of storytelling and a thoughtfully curated coffee experience."